N00620:109
Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and…
Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and the great benefit which the true fearers of God receive by their ministry: delivered in several sermons: : to which is added, a sermon concerning the sin and misery of the fallen angels: also, a disquisition concerning angelical-apparitions. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston, in New-England. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]Angelographia, or A discourse concerning the nature and power of the holy angels, and the great benefit which the true fearers of God receive by their ministry: delivered in several sermons: : to which is added, a sermon concerning the sin and misery of the fallen angels: also, a disquisition concerning angelical-apparitions. / By Increase Mather, praesident of Harvard Colledge, in Cambridge, and preacher of the Gospel at Boston, in New-England. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]
printed by B. Green & J. Allen for Samuel Phillips, 1696
A DISCOURSE Concerning the Power and Ministry of Holy Angels. › For the USE of it.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For the USE of it.
I. By way of Information.
Inference 1. Hence, although Angelical Apparitions are not to be expected in these days; nevertheless, the Ministry of Holy Angels, doth continue still. Their Appearings are in a great measure ceased, but their Working is not ceased, but continues as in former times. Indeed, there is not need now, as in the Days of the Old Testament, for Angels to appear visibly unto men, because the Scripture is now perfected, there must be no Addition made unto the Written Word of God, which now is sufficient to direct men in all cases whatsoever, that may concern their Salvation and Consolation. There was need for an Angel to appear to Daniel visibly, to instruct him, concerning what should befall the People of God: and of an Angel to appear to the last Apostle John, to inform him, what should befall the Church in all future times. There is no need of that now: we must look into what Daniel and John have written; and there we may see, as much as is meet for us to be acquainted with. So that Angelical Apparitions are not frequent in these Days: Only Evil Angels do appear more often than ⟨p. 64⟩good Ones. No wonder, because they are of more Earthly Inclinations, than those Spirits, that dwell above. Evil Angels do often appear; very true, and sometimes pretending to be good Angels too. The Apostle saith, 2 Cor. 11.14. That Satan doth transform himself into an Angel of Light. He cometh to men, and appears visibly to them, and pretends to be an Angel of Light, and will give them good counsel, will pretend to be for Truth, and for Holiness, although he doth intend nothing less. I could mention to you instances respecting this. There was about four and twenty years ago, in a place belonging to the King of Denmark's Dominions, a Young man, that a Daemon appeared to, on a Lord's-day, in white shining Garments, and gave him excellent good counsel, telling him, that he must not sin, as formerly he had done; and that he must call upon others to amend their ways, to leave their Cursing & Swearing, & other Sins; & that he should pray to God every day three times; & he would join with him in singing a Psalm too. And yet this Daemon did at last appear to be an Angel of Darkness. There was in Geneva, the Son of a Senator there, that was miserably imposed upon, by a Daemon, pretending to be a good Angel;